Participate In a Small Group Connection Event

There are many ways to identify potential members and grow your group. One of those ways is to take advantage of any small group connection event your church schedules.

What Is a Small Group Connection Event?

A small group connection event is simply a recruiting event conducted to match people interested in learning more about small groups with small group leaders who are seeking new members.

There are a many people who step into the church who do not participate in a small group. They might not know what a small group is, why getting involved in a group is important, or how to try one out.

Many churches create recruiting events to make it easy for people to learn about small groups and to help new and existing small group members to expand their roster and influence in the church.

It usually starts by the church pastor letting the congregation know how important it is to be plugged into a small group. Then the pastor encourages anyone not participating in a small group to check out the connection event.

The event can be as simple as setting up a few tables to have the conversations and signups. They can also be as elaborate as a block party. The last one I participated in included outdoor games and food trucks.

Things to Do

Your primary goal should be to get as many people as possible into a small group they will thrive in. Your first priority should not be to grow your group. However, you are the one building the relationship with those you encounter at the connection event. Because of this, they might be more comfortable signing up for your group because they now know you. Attending a small group of strangers for the first time can be scary and meeting you now takes away that concern. This is one of the reasons it is important to be a participant at the event.

As a small group leader, there are some things you can do to be prepared for the event. Here are a few:

Pray Before the Event

I can’t say it enough. Prayer is powerful!

I continue to be amazed at how God arranges for people who have similar issues and interests to be in the same small group. Even when the group was formed through what appears to be a random process.

Ask God to bring the right people to you at the event and for him to give you wisdom in what you say and do as you encounter each potential small group member.

Know Your Story

Boost their interest and excitement for small groups by telling them what small group means to you and how it changed your life.

Like an elevator pitch, your story needs to be short and concise. An elevator ride takes approximately thirty seconds to two minutes. Try to capture your story in that same amount of time.

Smile

You are representing the impact small groups can have on a person. Because of this, your appearance is important.

The fastest and easiest way to improve your appearance is to put on a smile. A smile is also a great way to help build a great relationship.

You will only have a short time to build a rapport with each person you meet. Be sure to start off with a smile.

Be Bold

Have you ever been to a community event where there was table after table of organizations that wanted the participants to learn about their products and services?

Did you notice anything about those that got noticed and those that were passed by?

The people who got out of their chairs, stood in front of their table, and engaged with everyone passing by were usually the ones who got the desired response.

Don’t wait for people to stop and talk to you. Be bold. Reach out to them and show them your love and your enthusiasm for small groups.

Have a Take-Away

Have something to put in the hands of each person you meet during the small group connection event.

If they choose not to sign up, consider giving them something that describes the benefits of being a part of a small group. You might also give them your contact information to use if they think of other questions or later decide to be a part of a group.

Pray After the Event

If possible, write down the name of each person you meet. Note which ones signed up for your small group, which ones signed up for another group, and which ones chose not to sign up at the event. Ask God to do something amazing in each of their lives.

If your church has a small group connection event, plan to participate. God transforms people through small groups and there are people in your church who need to get connected.

Question: What is your experience with small group connectio events? Share additional tips you have found useful. You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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About The Author

Roger Carr

Hi, my name is Roger Carr. I am a husband, father, Christian, business person, writer, and volunteer.
I have participated in and led several small groups over the past 30+ years. These small groups included those in churches, work settings, professional organizations, and nonprofit organizations.
I am currently supporting small group leaders at my local church by leading a small group of leaders as well as participating in a writing team and a leadership development team that develop small group leader materials.